The Wanaka Community House Charitable Trust was granted consent last month to build a multimillion-dollar facility in the grounds of St Columba's Anglican Church, in McDougall St. The initial 15-day appeal period lapsed with no action taken.
Trust chairwoman Dame Sukhi Turner said the consent was sent back to the Queenstown Lakes District Council because it contained "minor inaccuracies'' such as incorrect names and times. Once corrected, a new 15-day period was created and the decision was appealed.
"It came as a surprise to us,'' Dame Sukhi said.
"I think council should look at it's processes and work out the basics like 'when does the appeal period finish?'''
The more important point was the appeal delaying the construction of a building which would benefit the community, she said.
"The decision was quite robust. It was appealed for reasons that do not have too much guts.''
One of the 12 appellants, Lesley Burdon, said she was "disappointed'' consent was granted.
"It's clearly obvious that the parking is totally inadequate.''
The list of those appealing contained some of the oldest and most respected families in Wanaka, she said.
"We are the people speaking up, but we represent a much larger group.''
They waited to appeal because their lawyer was aware there would be another 15-day period, she said.
The 42 submitters against the proposal did so largely due to parking and traffic concerns.
Independent commissioners said in their decision the impact on traffic and parking would be "no more than minor''.
The community house has attracted interest from 28 organisations wanting to lease space.
